Skip to Content

Chicken Tikka Masala a British Indian Classic!

Chicken Tikka Masala, arguably the worlds most “famous” curry has British Indian origins and is famed for its rich & boldly flavoured sauce.

It is a simple dish to cook, it is essentially two dishes that are combined. chicken tikka and then a masala sauce.

Creamy chicken tikka masala in an iron karai with chapati in the background

British Indian Tikka Masala

Chicken tikka masala is an Indian curry supposedly from the famous Indian province of Glasgow!

Yup, that’s right, just like my chicken balti and chicken chasni recipes this curry recipe hails from the United Kingdom.

My favourite story about the origin of this chicken curry recipe involves beer… It would, wouldn’t it!?

Rumour has it back in the 1960’s a drunken punter strolled into a curry house in Glasgow and ordered a chicken tikka.

When his dish was presented he complained mercilessly that it was dry and where was his sauce.

The waiter took away his dish and returned it to the kitchen where the enterprising chef fashioned a gravy from a tin of tomato soup.

Just like that, a legend was born. I am sure there this is somewhere between utter nonsense and greatly embellished, but I love it as a story.

Also if you want a traditional and authentic chicken tikka masala sauce you had better break out a tin of Campbell’s lol!

In case you are wondering, no I do not, I use tomato passata instead!

In reality, this dish is really very similar to butter chicken or murgh makhani.

Another dish that was “born” around the same time, and despite the names being relatively new the techniques are ancient.

I also make a lamb tikka masala from similar lamb tikka kebabs, as well as paneer tikka masala, don’t be afraid of moving on from chicken!

Close up creamy rich chicken tikka masala curry in an iron karai

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between chicken tikka masala and butter chicken?

You would not be mistaken in thinking that this recipe and butter chicken are similar dishes.

They are indeed very similar, in fact, the only difference between the two is the sauce.

The sauce in a chicken tikka masala recipe is not butter heavy, whereas the sauce or gravy for butter chicken is.

Seriously that is the only real difference between the two.

Do I really need to marinate the chicken?

Yes! This dish combines two elements and if you skip chicken tikka your dish will be lacking.

Can I make it in advance?

Yes, this is the perfect curry to make up in advance!

In fact, butter chicken, a dish this is very closely related to was created to use up leftover tandoori chicken.

You can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance. Once cooked the chicken will last in the fridge for 3-4 days and will get better all of the time.

The sauce will also keep for 3-4 days in the fridge.

Is this a spicy curry?

My version of this curry is spicier than many!

If you want to pull that back the best way to do it is to reduce the chilli or change the type of chilli in the sauce.

Creamy rich chicken tikka masala curry in an iron karai served with chapati

Serving Suggestions

I like to keep my sides to a curry simple and fairly neutral.

There are so many flavours in a good curry that adding a second curry or strongly flavoured dish seems odd to me.

I usually favour a simply cooked basmati rice and then a flatbread.

As a Brummie then that flatbread should be a naan bread to me. But you could add a roti or chapati and be as good as gold.

Most importantly do not forget the beer, a curry and a beer is at the heart of where this recipe came from! Oh yeah, and poppadoms, no British Indian curry house experience is complete without them!

If you wanted to go left field, then my roast Bombay potatoes would be perfect for mopping up the sweet, hot & creamy gravy.

If you want to stretch your arm on Indian bread then try serving this with Bhatura. They are usually served with chole, but I think that they are stunning with tikka masala.

Creamy rich chicken tikka masala curry in an iron karai

Equipment Used

I only mention brands of equipment if I think that they make a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions feel free to ask them in the comments section below the recipe.

For the Curry:

  • Stovetop.
  • 28cm or 11″ frying pan or skillet.
  • Kitchen knife.
  • Chopping board.
  • Weighing scales and or measuring cups and spoons.
  • Stirring and serving spoons.
  • Fine mesh sieve.

For the Chicken Tikka Skewers (I have only listed equipment not already mentioned above):

  • Grill (broiler), oven, air fryer or BBQ. I have cooking instructions for each of these options.
  • Skewers, I personally prefer bamboo skewers with a square profile.
  • Bag, bowl or box to marinate the chicken.
  • A quick read meat thermometer, optional but recommended.
Creamy chicken tikka masala in an iron karai
Yield: 2 Servings

Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Additional Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes

A chicken tikka masala is often the recipe first thought of when curry is mentioned, a true British Indian classic recipe!

Ingredients

For the Chicken Tikka:

  • 400g (14 oz) Chicken Breast
  • 125g (1 Cup) Natural Yoghurt
  • 6 Garlic Cloves
  • 1 Tbsp Grated Ginger
  • 1 Tbsp Kashmiri Chili Powder
  • 1 Tsp Ground Turmeric
  • 1 Tsp Ground Coriander
  • 1 Tsp Ground Cumin
  • ½ Tsp Amchur
  • ½ Tsp Ground Fenugreek
  • ½ Tsp Coarse Sea Salt

For the Masala Sauce:

  • 1 Tbsp Ghee
  • 100g (⅔ Cup) Onion
  • 2 Red Chillies
  • 12 Curry Leaves
  • ¼ Tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • ¼ Tsp Ground Cloves
  • 1 Tsp Garam Masala
  • 1 Tbsp Dried Fenugreek Leaves
  • 250ml (1 Cup) Tomato Passata
  • 75ml (⅓ Cup) Water
  • 1 Tbsp Tomato Puree
  • 1 Tbsp Sugar
  • ¼ Tsp Salt
  • 50ml (3 Tbsp + 1 Tsp) Double or Heavy Cream

Instructions

  1. Cut the chicken into 2-3cm (~1") cubes.
  2. Take the garlic and ginger and mash to form a paste, adding a little water if required.
  3. Mix this garlic and ginger paste with the remaining ingredients for the chicken tikka.
  4. Massage to coat well and then allow to marinate for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
  5. Chop the onion for the masala sauce into a 1cm (~½") dice.
  6. Cut the red chillies in half lengthways.
  7. Heat the ghee in a 28cm or 11" frying pan over a medium-high heat.
  8. Add the slit red chilli peppers and curry leaves and cook for a minute.
  9. Add the onion and fry until golden stirring occasionally, this should take around 10 minutes.
  10. Add the tomato puree and pour in the tomato passata and water, followed by the sugar, salt, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, garam masala and fenugreek leaves.
  11. Reduce the heat to low and simmer while preparing the chicken tikka (around 20 minutes).
  12. Meanwhile, heat your broiler to high and thread your chicken onto high and thread the chicken on to skewers.
  13. Scrape any remaining marinade into the sauce stir it in and allow it to continue gently simmering.
  14. When the broiler is hot place the chicken tikka skewers under and cook for 15 minutes turning when each side is nicely coloured.
  15. Whilst the tikka is cooking blend the sauce thoroughly and then pass it through a fine-mesh sieve.
  16. Return the sauce to the pan and stir through the cream.
  17. Add the chicken, simmer in the sauce for 3-4 minutes, and serve.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 664Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 219mgSodium: 1209mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 7gSugar: 20gProtein: 72g

Calorific details are provided by a third-party application and are to be used as indicative figures only.

Did you make this recipe?

If you made this recipe, I'd love to see what you did and what I can do better, share a picture with me on Instagram and tag me @krumplibrian and tell me how it went!

Karon

Saturday 2nd of January 2021

Hi Brian! Looking forward to trying this. One question: The ingredients for the chicken tikka says 75g (half cup) of onion, does this refer to the onion that is quartered and added to the skewers or is it to be chopped/pureed and added to the marinade? Thank you.

Brian Jones

Monday 4th of January 2021

Hi Karon... The onion goes on to the skewers and not into the marinade, thanks for pointing out that is a little unclear, I have updated the recipe to make it a little clearer :)

Daniey

Wednesday 15th of May 2019

Hi Brian Just making your chicken tikka recipe and am a bit confused as what you do with the onion quarters, do they go in the marinade? I’m also having trouble getting Fenugreek leaves, can I substitute with Fenugreek powder or seeds? I have made your lamb madras and your chicken jalfrezi and I have to say they are amazing so thank you for the recipe.

Brian Jones

Wednesday 15th of May 2019

Hey there Daniey, I can see where the confusion is coming in here, I have moved the positioning of the onion to a more appropriate spot in the recipe instructions. But the onions do not need to go into the marinade, they are just threaded onto the skewers with the chicken after it has been marinaded and just before it goes under the grill :)

Yes you can sub for seeds or powder, try starting out with 1/2 tsp in with the rest of the spices in the sauce and see where you go from there.

BTW so glad you like what you have cooked so far :)

Gail Warwick

Monday 4th of March 2019

I have every ingredient in my pantry/freezer except for the yoghurt and tomato pasata. I just ordered the pasata on-line and when it arrives I will just run to the store for the yoghurt. I have made a few of your Indian recipes before (hence having all the ingredients), and based on those experiences, I can't wait to try this. I also plan on making some of the other Indian dishes on this thread. Thank you!

Brian Jones

Monday 4th of March 2019

Thanks Gail... Glad you are enjoying a stroll through my curry recipes, I seem to have a 'thing' for curry.

ash

Tuesday 2nd of January 2018

this sounds amazing bud and can't wait to try it. ps your pathia is lovely. Ash

Brian Jones

Thursday 4th of January 2018

Cheers Ash! Glad you like the pathia, probably my favourite curry dish both at home and out and about :)

Juli

Tuesday 18th of April 2017

Awesome photos! This recipe looks delicious!

Brian Jones

Wednesday 19th of April 2017

Thanks Juli :)

Skip to Recipe